Evolution

As a plodding lap swimmer at Meadowbrook, the Mt. Washington pool where Michael Phelps has trained for almost two decades, I've been watching the phenom swimmer at close range since he was 14 or so. In that time, I've witnessed - along with scores of other equally mesmerized members of the pool - Mr. Phelps' metamorphosis, from gangly and at times ornery adolescent, to incredibly focused young man, to star-studded jocular veteran of the sport, to...

Richard Weikart is correct that Dr. Ben Carson should not be opposed as a commencement speaker at Emory University, as Dr. Carson's accomplishments provide ample justification for this honor ("Evolution and morality," May 13). Mr. Weikart, however, is very wrong to suggest that Dr. Carson might be justified in opposing evolution on the grounds that it threatens morality. There are three ways that evolution might be said to threaten morality, none of which are persuasive. First, one might argue that the idea of "survival of the fittest" can be used to justify eugenics.

Almost 500 Emory University faculty and students have expressed their dismay that their commencement speaker on Monday does not toe the ideological line when it comes to evolutionary biology. Yes - gasp - the renowned Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon Ben Carson does not believe in evolutionary theory. Not only that, but biology professors at Emory and their supporters also accuse Dr. Carson of committing a thought crime because he allegedly "equates acceptance of evolution with a lack of ethics and morality.

In his column against gay marriage,Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.once again demonstrates why he is not the true heir and successor to Ron Smith ("Drawing a line at same-sex marriage," April 15). Mr. Smith and his keen intellect pursued truth whether it agreed with his prior beliefs or not while Mr. Ehrlich has shown again that he couches partisan viewpoints in intellectual language to disguise the truth. There is, indeed, a likely coalition against the gay marriage act. Leaders in my own faith, the Catholic Church, are drumming up a bandwagon to get signatures for referendum against the act. I won't be signing it. Opponents all blindly and stubbornly ignore the fact that we are at this point recognizing the validity of gay marriage not in spite of Christian beliefs, but because of them.

Last week, amid the buzz over another opening day and the celebration of Camden Yards' 20th birthday, I reported a story on the future of baseball parks . Though the topic was assigned to me, it had special resonance because I essentially grew up in a minor league baseball stadium that evolved, year by year, into a park that has inspired many current trends. My first, and perhaps still fondest, memory of what was then Reading Municipal-Memorial Stadium is of essentially standing in the bullpen during a game -- there was a low fence out there, but you could just hang over it and talk to the players -- when one of the Reading Phillies' pitchers blurted, "Hold on, gotta run" before dashing onto the field to partake in a benches-clearing brawl.

In 1912, when Fenway Park opened as the home of the Boston Red Sox, fans went to a baseball game because they wanted to watch a baseball game. One hundred years later, stadiums are much more complicated places, filled with fans hoping for a variety of experiences. Some seek a hip place to socialize, others work out important business deals. Parents have taken to going to the park in search of entertainment for their kids — though not necessarily on the field — and even child care, while foodies might buy a ticket to try a new restaurant or concession stand.

After a hiatus of more than a year, Soulful Symphony re-emerged last month to perform for a packed house at the Hippodrome Theatre, inaugurating a concert series that continues there Friday night. Thanks to support from the recently launched Hippodrome Arts Fund, the ensemble of predominantly African-American and Latino musicians became the first resident ensemble at the Hippodrome , the flagship of the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center. "It's a new chapter, a new home — but the same soul," said Darin Atwater, the composer, pianist and conductor who founded Soulful Symphony in 2000.

Gov. Martin O'Malley gave his most detailed explanation to date for the evolution of his stance on gay marriage, at the inaugural Baltimore Sun Newsmaker Forum Wednesday evening. Until last year — when he said he would sign a gay marriage bill if passed by the General Assembly — O'Malley had been a public supporter of civil unions. During the hour-long conversation in front of roughly 120 people, the governor said that his long-held private belief in civil marriage for same-sex couples was sacrificed for political goals.

Evolution Brewing Craft Company will move to Maryland from Delaware next February, the company has confirmed. The move is a coup for the Maryland craft industry. Since it opened in April 2009, Evolution has become one of Delaware's major microbreweries. Over 4,500 barrels of beer are expected to be brewed this year, according to the company.  Along with five new microbreweries that have opened or will open by next year in Maryland, Evolution's move brings the total of craft breweries in the state to at least 20, according to the Brewers Association of Maryland.

Evolution Craft Brewing Company's Lot 3 IPA defeated Old Dominion's Oak Barrel Stout in the final round of Estrada Design/Build Chesapeake Beer Madness. Evolution won its third title in a row after earning 62 percent of the public's votes. The local craft-brew competition, which matches beers head-to-head in March Madness-style brackets, kicked off Sept. 30 at Park Place in Annapolis. After the kick-off event, readers and beer lovers voted online at WhatsUpMag.com for their favorites.